How should the space on Dublin’s quays be used? Part two

We’re continuing to ask: What should Dublin’s quays look like? Following on from Arran Quay last week, this is Wolfe Tone Quay: first the current view from Google Street View and then images showing possible use of space:Wolfe Tone Quay current S

 

The above image is close to the current layout of Wolfe Tone Quay — there’s a bus lane with a tiny cycle lane inside it, there’s two traffic lanes heading towards the city which quickly merge into one lane, and there’s an amazing 390m lane for turning right over the bridge ahead.Wolfe Tone Quay possable with two lanes S

 

Above is our first reimagining of how the space could be used. In short: Footpath | bus lane | general motorised traffic lane | smaller green space for trees or bushes | two-way cycle track | grass | enlarged riverside walkway built around current tree alignment.

The bus lane would be for city-bound buses but the traffic lane would only allow traffic to turn left or right ahead. City-bound general traffic would use the south quays.

The current left-hand footpath would remain the same. The bus lane would be made smaller with the removal of the cycle lane. One traffic lane would remain but only for traffic heading into  Blackhall Place (access to Smithfield, Stoneybatter, Grangegorman, Bolton Street etc), or traffic crossing the bridge to get to Thomas Street.

Next the shown smaller green space could be used for bushes or trees to act as a buffer between the cycle route and the motorised traffic. The cycle route would be two-way. The next bit of green would be grass making up a kind of linear park and the quay-side footpath would also be widened.Wolfe Tone Quay possable with one lane S

Above, with our second reimagining of the space, city-bound buses would use the south quays leaving just one motorised traffic lane for city-bound general traffic.

It’s the same as the above expect for the extra space from the removal of the bus lane is given over to extra green space.


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3 comments

  1. Good to see re imagining of Dublin streets, but why do we need all these narrow, essentially useless strips of grass ? Dutch segregate cars, trams and bikes very successfully using kerbs etc. Insistence on grass strips takes us a non trivial amount of road scape. Having said that, please jddptp the good work

    Reply
    • Sorry your comment got stuck in moderation until now.

      The suggested greenery (bushes or trees) in the smaller strip is in keeping with what the Dutch often do, and the larger strip of grass intended as a kind of extension of the linear park along the river further west, or at least a visual extension of the parkland between the quay and the Luas. The project can’t be just about cycling, but making the quays more attractive.

      And, of course, I’m suggesting grass here, but further up the quays nearer the city core I’ll suggest far larger footpaths – space for seating etc.

      Reply

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